Shreveport defenseman Gysbers makes NCAA commitment

July 20, 2018

Shreveport Mudbugs defenseman Brendon Gysbers spent two years playing in the NAPHL prior to his two seasons in Shreveport.

The Shreveport Mudbugs of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that defenseman Brendon Gysbers has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for St. Norbert College Green Knights, who are the reigning NCAA Division III Men’s Hockey National Champions.

Gysbers, 21, just completed his second and final season of playing junior hockey in the NAHL and he adds to the continuing ladder of development success story of former NAPHL players moving onto the NAHL and then the NCAA.

The 6’1/180 lbs. native of Fond du lac, Wisconsin, has his best career season for the Robertson Cup Champion Mudbugs in 2017-18. In 58 regular season games he chalked up 33 points (6 goals, 27 assists). In the playoffs, he appeared in all 13 games and recorded four points.

Gysbers was also selected to and played in the 2018 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the South Division team. In his two-year NAHL career, he appeared in 116 career regular season games and had 60 points.

“Brendan was not only an important part of our Championship season, he was a two-year player that helped establish our culture on and off the ice. We are excited for Brandon and wish him all the best,” said former Mudbugs head coach Karlis Zirnis, who is now with Alaska-Fairbanks in the NCAA. "He was a steady two way defender who played on the power play and penalty kill. He was always an offensive threat and his game is going to translate well to the college level."

Prior to playing in the NAHL, Gysbers spent two seasons in the NAPHL. He played for the Omaha AAA 18U team in 2015-16 and the Madison Capitols 18U team in 2014-15. In 48 NAPHL games, he recorded 41 points. Gysbers also played in the 2016 NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament for the South team

St. Norbert College won its fifth NCAA Division III championship with a 3-2 double-overtime win over Salve Regina University on March 24 at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y. The Green Knights, who defeated Colby College 4-3 a day earlier in a national semifinal contest, finished the season with a 27-4-1 record. The Green Knights also won their 14th Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs championship.